tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post4817618046008765902..comments2015-03-03T15:45:01.925-05:00Comments on the joy of sox: Christmas Traditionsallanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673233312198832937noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-41883694441206131222007-12-27T18:34:00.000-05:002007-12-27T18:34:00.000-05:00Sosock, cool story. I was wondering where the Juda...Sosock, cool story. I was wondering where the Judaism fit in. <BR/><BR/>I was born Jewish and still identify as a Jew. But while I was wandering around amongst religions looking for a better fit, I realized the only thing that fit me was the random chance of a meaningless universe. Meaning comes from within.<BR/><BR/>I love Ish's 4 stages! And johngoldfine's anti-nostalgic take is great, too.<BR/><BR/>Now I will return to lurk mode until Opening Day! <BR/><BR/><B>HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!</B> As Sosock says, anything that annoys Bill O'Reilly has got to be good!L-girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-63594540315908796612007-12-27T18:28:00.000-05:002007-12-27T18:28:00.000-05:00Just like anything else Christmas gives us a time ...<I>Just like anything else Christmas gives us a time to create great memories</I><BR/><BR/>Christmas doesn't give me memories any more than Ramadan or Eid.L-girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-19745307130616809892007-12-26T08:50:00.000-05:002007-12-26T08:50:00.000-05:00It's OVER!Thank G, uh, whoever!Yes, it was great s...It's OVER!<BR/>Thank G, uh, whoever!<BR/>Yes, it was great seeing some of the cousins I only see once a year. Yes, my sister's 2 adopted girls from China are the cutest things on this planet and I loved watching their excitement. Yes, we all got together and ate well, and hugged and smiled a few times.<BR/>But at last we're through watching the teen-age kids trying to act appropriately thrilled with their gifts, through hearing the adults try to come up with a religious basis for all the Christmas customs, through with the ad-nauseum repetition of the same 40 songs 24-7 for 2 freaking months, and through trying to smile at my Mom when she gives our grandson, who goes to the Temple pre-school already, "His 1st Christmas Book"!<BR/>It's been over 15 years since my son, then my wife, converted, and I've been practicing for about 10 years, but she still won't accept the fact that we practice a different sort of religion from her. She still clings to a belief that the reason I have never officially converted to Judaism is because I still recognize Jesus. Little does she kow it was her religion that caused me to disavow all religion, and the only reason I haven't converted is my lingering problems with religion in general. <BR/>Ah well, family....<BR/>till the next episode :)<BR/>Oh, and if saying Happy Holidays means Bill O'Reilly hates me.....<BR/>Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays!SoSockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15982944966573089279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-74395265434385258812007-12-25T22:39:00.000-05:002007-12-25T22:39:00.000-05:00Christmas......hmm where do I start, I like it do ...Christmas......hmm where do I start, I like it do i love it , I don't know, there are moments in the day and the days preceding that I love....seeing the Mall santa with the kids , finding the perfect gift for someone, watching my kids scream with joy on Christmas morning , I hope for one they never stop believing in Santa...So many things in life give you joy for periods of time that seem so short when they end...So if Santa and Christmas can give my kids happiness for as long as it lasts so be it.....Just like anything else Christmas gives us a time to create great memories.......and after today I have a few that I will cherish forever... Merry Christmas9caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214364466933716867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-1611911174114936512007-12-25T22:32:00.000-05:002007-12-25T22:32:00.000-05:00Well, first of all, they're not very good in the p...Well, first of all, they're not very good in the postseason. And secondly, it's hard to tell where the brain ends and the supernatural begins. Was it an angel? Or was it the rush of blood and adrenaline that made you see the angel as you got real cuddly with your car's airbag. I can't tell if I believe in angels, ghosts, God, or not. I try not to think about it, really. It gives me a headache.<BR/><BR/>Most people just like believing, whether it be in Santa Claus or Angels or the possibility that the 10 sitting across the bar from you might walk over and ask you for a drink.<BR/><BR/>I prefer to not dismiss any such thing, nor do I prefer not to believe in it entirely. A balance between the heart and the brain; imagination and common sense; hope and reality. Known, and unknown.<BR/><BR/>It's like having a dream where you're holding hands with somebody, and you actually feel their hand. You wake up, and you still feel it for a split second, then it fades away.ishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14809080115678512743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-17833234853751671372007-12-25T20:22:00.000-05:002007-12-25T20:22:00.000-05:00what's wrong with believing in angels?what's wrong with believing in angels?papa simehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09232956725670309779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-69448233956673427942007-12-25T18:09:00.000-05:002007-12-25T18:09:00.000-05:00What I learned this week: Nearly 1/3 of Canadians ...What I learned this week: Nearly 1/3 of Canadians "<A HREF="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/story/4097011p-4695140c.html" REL="nofollow">personally believe</A>" in Santa Claus.<BR/><BR/>Then again, it's not as bad as the Gallup poll that showed that over 75% of Americans believe in angels -- not the ones in Anaheim.redsockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673233312198832937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-59340855582061003052007-12-25T17:32:00.000-05:002007-12-25T17:32:00.000-05:00Point of this on a baseball blog: we geld our memo...Point of this on a baseball blog: we geld our memories and paint the past in a rosy haze at our own risk. The good old days were full of alcohol, speed, bennies, cocaine, and so on. Athletes were never quite the clean-living heroes of the Wheaties boxes.... Isn't it time we get over all that nonsense and get on with playing the game? Not worrying about doping? Celebrating the real rowdy past, including all the warts and imperfections?johngoldfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09322562737172405323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-16111586714311482602007-12-25T17:03:00.000-05:002007-12-25T17:03:00.000-05:00Four stages of life:a.) You believe in Santa Clau...Four stages of life:<BR/><BR/>a.) You believe in Santa Claus.<BR/>b.) You don't believe in Santa Claus.<BR/>c.) You are Santa Claus.<BR/>d.) You look like Santa Claus.ishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14809080115678512743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-36912056620090399692007-12-25T16:58:00.000-05:002007-12-25T16:58:00.000-05:00Taking the Lord and Baby Jesus out of this, the on...Taking the Lord and Baby Jesus out of this, the one character I have a large problem with at Christmas is... Santa.<BR/><BR/>Think about what Santa's role is for Christmas. The children are told that Santa Claus gives them all sorts of presents for Christmas because they were such good little boys and girls all year. Basically, for no apparent reason. From some man you've never met before, who watches over you all year. It's a terrible way to try and make a kid behave. And in almost every case, it doesn't matter how good or bad the kid has been that year. If they did something bad in February the parents aren't going to say "uh oh. Looks like you're getting a lump of coal in your stocking for Christmas!"<BR/><BR/>Point being, the character of Santa Claus has made Christmas, in the eyes of a child, a payout. A time to ask for this, this, this, and see that over there? Yes, that too. And you'll get one or two or all of those things, and more!<BR/><BR/>I say, you could keep the amount of presents the same, but why make it a mystery of who gave the presents? Why shouldn't the parents give the children the presents, say it was from them, and tell them why. So the parents can tell the children how much they're loved and how it has been a good year and how good it feels to see their eyes light up when they get that really cool toy. <BR/><BR/>Is there a difference between being happy and being merry? Nobody goes out to drink and be happy. They go out to drink and be merry. I think the British have it right when they say Happy Christmas, because that's what I want to be on Christmas. I want to be happy. I feel that's a bit more of a priority than merry. Because if you're merry, chances are you'll have the hangover of your life the next morning from spice cake, ham/turkey/roast beef (or in my case... marinated steak tips!), and from all the hype leading up to Christmas itself.<BR/><BR/>Of course, there's no rest on the 26th, because you've got things to return and exchange! Then there's New Years!<BR/><BR/>I hope everyone has had a very happy Christmas today.ishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14809080115678512743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-39329745325281954722007-12-25T13:00:00.001-05:002007-12-25T13:00:00.001-05:00He and his church refuse to acknowledge the Christ...<I>He and his church refuse to acknowledge the Christmas holiday. They refer to it as a pagan celebration and an affront to their Lord. There is no tree, no wreath, and no nativity. This, in an ultra conservative North Carolina Baptist church!</I><BR/><BR/>As I understand it, this is increasingly common in conservative churches in the US.L-girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-68085406250559971662007-12-25T13:00:00.000-05:002007-12-25T13:00:00.000-05:00Actually, it was comments in L's post that made me...Actually, it was comments in L's post that made me go back and get this stuff -- then I figured I'd use it here instead.<BR/><BR/>As someone once said: "Nostalgia is history gone rancid."redsockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673233312198832937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-77993392915402790982007-12-25T12:48:00.000-05:002007-12-25T12:48:00.000-05:00Great post. Maybe I would have liked it more in th...Great post. Maybe I would have <A HREF="http://wmtc.blogspot.com/2007/12/i-hate-christmas.html" REL="nofollow">liked it more</A> in those days.L-girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-56672718783271649552007-12-25T11:30:00.000-05:002007-12-25T11:30:00.000-05:00You know what this means? "Anarchy in the UK" was ...You know what this means? "Anarchy in the UK" was a Christmas Carol!Jerehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13448619048422750447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-33678658266698585542007-12-25T10:57:00.000-05:002007-12-25T10:57:00.000-05:00Good Stuff, RSSince my disenfranchisement from Chr...Good Stuff, RS<BR/>Since my disenfranchisement from Christianity, I've often watched the rest of my family at the holiday and wondered if they had any clue just how UN-holy this whole tradition is. I also know that Christianity isn't alone in their alteration of events for holiday purposes.<BR/>A short, but interesting, story -<BR/>Yesterday afternoon (Dec 24) my son and I went to do a short job for a customer who happens to be a preacher at a primitive Baptist church. My son asked if we should be going there on Christmas Eve. I've known the guy for years now and knew it wasn't a problem. He and his church refuse to acknowledge the Christmas holiday. They refer to it as a pagan celebration and an affront to their Lord. There is no tree, no wreath, and no nativity. This, in an ultra conservative North Carolina Baptist church! Wow...<BR/>Regardless, when approached the right way, the season can offer a bit of hope for a more caring and charitable way of living, so...<BR/>Happy Holidays to all, even if you're just celebrating a Tuesday off from work!SoSockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15982944966573089279noreply@blogger.com